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Burgess Jenkins On Taking Over The Role Of Y&R's Billy Abbott: "It Was Apparent To Me From The Get-Go That This Was A Wonderful Character With Interesting Layers!"

By Michael Fairman

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Courtesy/UPTV

Courtesy/UPTV

Burgess Jenkins has spoken! The next actor hired as the heir apparent to the role of Billy Abbott on The Young and the Restless chatted with Soap Opera Digest for an upcoming interview to appear in their upcoming June 16th issue.

But today, Soap Opera Digest posted an excerpt from the feature where Jenkins reveals what his initial thoughts were on taking over the pivotal role from two past Daytime Emmy winners, David Tom and Billy Miller.

Burgess stated, “I talked with the producers about it and they filled me in on the role and it was apparent to me from the get-go that this was a wonderful character with interesting layers.  I met some of the cast and we clicked right away. Not only are they terrific people, but I can tell we’re going to have a great time. I was taken with this opportunity right away.”

So, how do you think Burgess will fit-in on-screen with the other cast members and characters on the canvas? Share your thoughts below!

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It sounds to me that Burgess Jenkins is eager and that could be a good thing.Plus i’m sure some of his cast mates have helped him get settle in the role.So i wish him well.

He looks a lot like his big brother Peter Bergman!

Chelsea will end up with Billy or Stitch or both. She is always getting pregnant and it’s time for her to breed

chelsea could end up with adam. there are rumors the that might come back in the summer and that i think it why they had to recast billy in order to bring adam back in the picture now we know he is in fact alive.

Hope Chelsea is gone soon. Sharon had much better chemistry with Adam

Hey Mr. Burgess did you meet the cardboard cut out of Billy Miller also? Yes it is just hearts and flowers over there on the set of Y&R please cue the violins! Did he even read for the part?

That is so funny and true. I feel for David Tom and wish him all the best . He was doing an awesome job.

I am thrilled that he has accepted the role. I am one of his biggest fans and totally fell in love with him when he was on Army Wives. If we couldn’t have Billy Miller in the role I feel that this was a wonderful choice and I do not think anybody will be disappointed. Like Billy Miller, he is an outstanding actor. I just hope they will do him justice and write his role in a way that will be in sync with his talent. These writers don’t always do their best actors justice IMO.

Billy Miller is thee only Billy Abbott ..
It makes no difference how good or handsome one is, he will never be thee Billy Abbott

Y&R has become empty, flat, without MS, MM and BM ..
No replacing owned characters..

Adam is trademarked by MM ..

Phyllis is trademarked by MS

Billy is trademarked by BM

I wish Burgess well ..

They’ve been snatched!!!

But you don’t watch Y&R, you’ve told us that over and over again. The only show you like is GH. So why do you care, again??

I never seen his acting

Here it goes: Billy Miller is the one and only Billy even if he didnt originate the roll…i liked David Tom and they shouldnt let him go…i hate David Tom and im glad they let him go…this Burgess Jenkins is no Billy…this Burgess isnt no Billy Miller but he is better than David Tom…i like Burgess and he is a good Billy…ill give him a chance first…i could care less who plays the part…BRING BILLY MILLER BACK…BRING DAVID TOM BACK…this is all JFP fault and they should replace her instead…Good, i think i covered it all so now i dont have to read others comments…lol

So true!

Thanks you just saved me a lot of time, like your Reader’s Digest version of the great Billy Debate of 2014. But all kidding aside, your post is precisely the reason why powers that be rarely listen or care about “fan” reaction if they tried to pleased everyone all the time it would be a mess– as for Billy, if doesn’t matter if Brad Pitt played him, if the writing is bad the character will suffer– I think Mr. Tom talent wasn’t the problem, but the writing, I doubt even Mr. Miller could make the dribble coming out Billy’s mouth these days worth listening to.

Billy Miller got the meaty material of a grief stricken father who is hell bent on revenge for the tragic death of his beloved daughter Delia…a bravo emmy winning performance…David Tom wasnt so lucky…he barely got any of those emotional scenes that tug at the heart and allows you to feel his grief and pain…instead he is just a bitter man in a troubled marriage…he does a good job with the material given but not enough to win most fans approval…i like David Tom and i wish GH would hire him as Tracys son Dillion Quartimaine…thanks for your reply…i may not reply to everything you write but i still read everything you comment on…you always write very intelligent well written comments and you remain one of my top favorite posters!!!

I’m happy for Burgess, I just hope he clicks as Billy more than David Tom did. Nothing against DT as an actor, but he just didn’t work as Billy for me. Yes, he was the original adult Billy, and back when he first played the role, he was really good because his acting style worked with the character. Now it just seemed like DT took the Billy that Billy Miller molded and regressed him in age. Plus, the recast happened so quickly, and DT was immediately thrown into front-burner story, it was a lot to take in. Fans (including myself) were still reeling from BM’s exit, and all of the sudden a new actor pops up in a major role with major story, it was too much. That’s why I think DT didn’t work for me, and for most other viewers. Hopefully Burgess Jenkins does well, and hopefully the writers know where they’re taking the role!

I agree Jimmy…I don’t think ANYONE replacing Billy Miller would have been accepted…especially when it was done.
And maybe that was the thinking all along. Put David Tom, let him take the heat, then bring in someone we really want when people will be more willing to accept a replacement for DT.
I liked Burgess on Army Wives so I hope he’s given a chance on Y&R .

If that is true, and that’s what they did with DT, I think it’s the cruelest thing a show can do to an actor, especially one who was previously on said show in said role.

However, a more likely scenario is that the show thought that bringing the original adult portrayer back to the role would gain fan support more than a newbie would. I think the show hoped fans would embrace DT because he was on the show before, and back then he was loved.

But that didn’t happen, and I feel bad for DT being treated the way he was by the show. I wish him luck and I hope Burgess Jenkins dazzles us as Billy.

Nice looking man. Looking forward to watching him on Y&R. Now if he can act!!!!

So this huge story (Delia’s death, and now Victoria’s pregnancy) with two newbies (New Billy & Stitch) no emotional connection at all anymore. No thanks YR!
I want Billy Miller back.

He looks like a grown-up David Tom. I hope they don’t make him whiny like DT

He’s right. Billy Abbott IS a wonderful character with many layers. It’s just too bad that the current regime has no ability or even interest in WRITING him or any other character that way.

I’m sure Burgess can act,, He may be a very good actor..
However; that is not what it is about..

It is– can he be be Billy Abbott..
There was a high charisma, humor, facial expression, mannerisms, flamboyance, charm, that all belong to the Billy Miller/Billy Abbott character..
Billy Miller trademark Billy Abbott., for sure…
Burgess is handsome and he can act but can he portray Billy Abbott …
I gotta see this lol ..

My best to Burgess ..

I wish him all the best and hope he’s treated better than David Tom was.
But just when I stopped missing Billy Miller and just when I got used to David Tom who was really getting his sea legs, they fire him. Watching Miller’s poignant and powerful performance today, I will paraphrase that Pretty Woman, “Big Mistake! Huge!”

I thought david tom was doing a great job. But i understand not much job security on soaps.

People need to get over that it’s not Billy Miller playing him anymore. He CHOSE to leave the show. Let’s try to give this new guy a chance. I liked Miller too but this guy may be good.

Jake, I don’t disagree. However, you’re leaving out David Tom who was hired to to take Miller’s place to come back and play Billy Abbott again. I agree we need to let Billy Miller go, but firing David Tom one month after he started goes beyond the pale.
And David Tom was doing an outstanding job.
Let’s hope the fans, certain co workers and the stuffed shirts from Y&R treat this new guy better than they treated Tom.

Miller chose to leave AFTER he was denied the basic “outs” he asked for in his contract to do other things.

Apparantly, Jill Farren Phelps gave away all the perks to the other cardboard cut out on the Y&R set.

Rob, I couldn’t have said it better myself….

We all have to move on. Its like a death over at Y&R and JFP is the undertaker! Whether these actors left because of Jill or they wanted to pursue other roles, lets give Burgess a chance. We gave David a chance and it didnt work out. I hate change but they have a show to write. Hindsight, they should have written Billy off for the “Murder” of Adam and gave Billy Miller a chance to do other things and then see if he wanted to return BEFORE they recasted the role. [Why are the fans so much smarter than the people calling the shots at Y&R?]

Reading some of these comments makes me think of my grandma when she said be careful what you asked for. So many people thought that by complaining about David Tom, that would make Billy Miller return???? I don’t see the logic in that. David Tom was just doing what was written. And I say that by the fact that soaps are written far in advance. Even all this whiny crap that’s been on-screen still would have been BM if he had stayed and I STILL would be annoyed with the Billy character. People are also saying that they made Billy whiny. No more so than when he did his last whiny song and dance from the gambling storyline, or sleeping with Chelsea. Hell, even I hated the Billy character during his slumming it during the Trailer Park years. During so many moments they have made Billy the character whiny and never taking responsibility for his actions. Thats always been my problem with the character at so many moments. And for that I blame the writing. What will you guys do when Billy is now being portrayed by a new person with the same writing direction??? Do we blame the actor again. And say its the fault of the actor for not being Billy Miller. Its time to let it go. The guy left the building. I’m anticipating the He’s awesome, ugh I don’t like his portrayal, he doesnt gel with the cast, he’s not Billy Abbott, we want David Tom back, bring back Billy Miller. And the Cycle continues….Sigh Regardless of who plays Billy, the crappy writing will still be the same.

Also, Billy Miller has been gaining lots of traction in his primetime career. He was going to leave eventually. And before anyone says how do I know that. I’m speaking from the business side. Unfortunately, so many damn casting peeps & silly suit exes still thumb their noses down at Daytime Actors. Also everytime Billy Miller left to go do these short time gigs in Primetime, Billy would be offscreen for 2-4 weeks at a time. Which to me always slowed down the pacing of a few storylines. They kept having to come up with a reason to send him away for meetings or restaurant business. I think the guy is CRAZY TALENTED, and felt he should have left awhile ago to really give his primetime career a chance. So many people are going to say, he could do both. But how long could he do that everytime he booked something. I’ve been on auditions for things sometimes shooting the following week. Soap production schedules are down way in advanced. Its not that easy to roll up to the production offices and get out of shooting. He did the right thing leaving. Be happy, and lets look towards the future. We can’t move forward if we constantly are looking in the rear view mirror.

To be honest, I feel bad for any actor taking over the Billy or Adam roles. They are going to get a bum rap from their very first day. And whomever takes over Adam Newman now, I pray for that guy, cause the MM fans are going to eat him alive. Everything he does is going to be slanted with a this is what Michael Muhney would do rant or comparison.

Good comments, Travis. Here’s what I don’t get. If the MM fanatics supposedly quit watching the show 5 months ago…then why do they care who gets the role?

This guy looks like a competent actor. I’m looking forward to see how he plays the part. I found it interesting that the producers approached him out of the blue. They must’ve seen something that they were looking for. Hopefully what they saw also connects with the fans because THREE actors for ONE storyline is a lot. You lose the continuity because each actor will interpret it differently. By the time BJ gets on screen will I even care that “Billy” lost Delia since BM and EH who originated the story aren’t around anymore?

Billy Miller will always be Billy Abbott. The constant recasting is ridiculous.

He wont be good for the role. YR needs to give. BM the contract he wants and bring him back.

When this backfires (and I think it will) I hope the casting director is fired.

Yes, it is sad that Billy Abbott lost Delia, but it was his, and no one else’s, fault. Adam was as much of a victim of Billy Abbott’s negligence as was Delia (and hence Chloe).

Billy Miller went on to bigger things; David Tom will get another role without that role’s baggage (B.M. fans) and good luck to the new guy. I just hope he knows that deep down, Billy Abbott’s number one priority is Billy Abbott.

Billy Miller is irreplaceable.

Bring Billy Miller back.Give him what he wants.

I did like Billy Miller. But, I like Burgess Jenkins. What all the fan girls seem to forget is he (and Michelle Stafford) chose to leave. I hope David Tom gets a Part on the Bold and the Beautiful or Days of Our lives.

The role of Billy Abbott just does not fit any other actor except Billy Miller. He is an amazing actor. His acting shows such depth with no limits. Either bring back Billy Miller or write the character out.

Happy that David Tom is leaving…he couldn’t replace Billy Miller who needs to come back. Is it a money issue? Y&R should consider how valuable a character he was. I will say Tom was ok as the teenager Billy but he’s out of his league as adult Billy.

PLEASE BRING BILLY MILLER BACK Y&R !!!!!

anybody is better than the Billy right now he is just a kid my grandson could do as well and he is only 8
also think about getting rid of Kelly she is a pain in the butt there will never be another person that will play phyliss as well as the one that did no matter how far you looked also get rid of cry baby Sharon you guys were good writers at one time get some good actors or actreses back

I hope they won’t make him a pretty boy. Billy’s character is rough around the collar. It would be wise to remember that and let him have a 5 o’clock shadow to take away from the long, slender face. MILLER is who fan’s relate to as Billy. He is a stocky, bad boy. I am looking forward to seeing if JENKINS can pull it off and not make us laugh when he tries to play angry, tough, scripts.

Well I like his looks 100% better than the last 2…they had whimpy looks and I could not stand to hear their voices.

Sorry, but glad Tom is out; he was a good fit for the younger Billy Abbott role, but not so much as grown up Billy. I loved Miller in this role and it is too bad he is gone. I miss him. I wish Jenkins all the best.

General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’

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The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Award nominations kicked-off on Monday with the announcements of four major categories including, Outstanding Lead Performer in a Daytime Drama Series — Actor, and among the nominees is General Hospital’s Steve Burton (Jason Morgan).

Burton is already a two-time Daytime Emmy winner in the Supporting Actor category for his roles as GH’s Jason and his turn as Dylan McAvoy on Y&R. However, Steve is yet to win in the Lead Actor category and he has received 11 nominations along the way in his daytime career.

Following the reveal that he is a 2026 Daytime Emmy nominee, he and his GH co-star, podcast co-host and comedy show partner, Bradford Anderson (Spinelli) taped a special edition of their That’s Awesome podcast just featuring Burton’s reaction to the news.

Photo: JPI

FOR LESLIE CHARLESON

Steve expressed, “I know it’s such a cliche to say, ‘I’m just so honored to be nominated.’ But truly, I’m so grateful to be nominated, so grateful to just be on the show off and on for 30 plus years and to be nominated with the guys in my category. Just to get the opportunity. Frank (Valentini, executive producer, GH) texted me right away. I was just like, ‘Thank you for the opportunity to get to do what I do.'”

Taking in the moment, Burton thanked those who helped him select the material for his nominated reel. “Unless you win, you don’t get to say things. So. I’m going just say a few things: Elizabeth Korte (co-head writer, GH) helped me a lot with the material, (as did) Michelle Henry, who’s a producer on the show, Laura Wright (Carly, GH), and then my wife Michelle (Lundstrom). I believe it was Jill Phelps who told me that when A Martinez felt like he had a great show or great scenes, he would mark it down. So, when Emmy time comes, you have all the show numbers written down, and you don’t have to think about it, because that’s half the battle (finding the material).

Burton explained how meaningful this nomination is for him, because of playing the scenes of Jason losing Monica, and his closeness with the late, great Leslie Charleson.

“The nomination’s an amazing thing, and it’s beautiful, but really it’s to honor Leslie Charleson. A lot of my material was because of her, and how I started on the show as a Quartermaine, it just means a ton,” shared Burton. “Maurice Benard (Sonny, GH) has obviously has been instrumental, and I’ve said it from day one and I’ll shout it from the rooftops. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here, and to be working with the people that we work with is incredible.”

Photo: JPI

SHOULD JOHN OLIVER BE NAMED HOST OF THE DAYTIME EMMYS?

During the end of his conversation with Anderson, Steve suggested that the host of the Daytime Emmy should be Last Week Tonight’s John Oliver, who recently guest starred as the head of the WSB named Z on General Hospital, and is soon to show up on Days of Our Lives in a mystery role in August.

Thus far, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has not revealed their host for the upcoming ceremony to be held on October 30 in a venue to be named in Hollywood, California.

You can watch Steve sharing his reaction to receiving his 2026 Lead Actor Daytime Emmy nomination below on a special segment on the That’s Awesome podcast.

Now let us know, are you glad that Steve chose scenes surrounding Jason mourning the loss of the woman that raised him, Monica Quartermaine for his Emmy reel? What do you think of John Oliver as a suggestion to host the Daytime Emmys? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

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Beyond the Gates

53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actress Drama Series

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Monday on Entertainment Tonight, the second set of nominations for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards were announced which included the highly-coveted Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actress and Outstanding Daytime Talk Series.

ET followed suit after Extra announced the nominees, as previously reported, in the Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actor and Outstanding Daytime Talk Host.

Now, five leading ladies of the soaps are vying for the gold for Lead Actress and the category marked the first-ever nominations for CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates when two actresses made the final cut. Only General Hospital is not represented among the actresses this year after Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) took home the trophy last year.

Photo: NATAS

THE FIVE LEADING LADIES OF THE SOAPS ARE …

The 2026 Lead Actress nominees are: Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives, Karla Mosley (Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates, Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless, Heather Tom (Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful, and Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree), Beyond the Gates.

This marks the first Daytime Emmy nominations for Karla Mosley and Tamara Tunie. In addition, this marks the first-time in her career that Stacy Haiduk had received a Lead Actress nod after two Supporting Actress nominations.

Meanwhile, Michelle Stafford had previously won 3 Emmys – 2 for Lead Actress and 1 for Supporting, but this recognition makes it her 11th overall nomination.

Heather Tom currently is tied for the most all-time Daytime Emmy wins with One Life to Live alum and General Hospital guest star, Erika Slezak. The B&B star has 19 nominations throughout her career.

Photo: ABC

DAYTIME TALK SERIES

In the Outstanding Daytime Talk Series category, the nominees are: 3rd Hour of Today, The Drew Barrymore Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Live with Kelly and Mark, Today with Jenna and Friends and The View.

“We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television,” NATAS president and CEO Adam Sharp said in a statement on the nominations. “As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”

The rest of the nominations will be revealed tomorrow on Tuesday July 14 starting on The View and then the full list of nominees in both the main and creative arts will be released by NATAS. The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards are slated for October 30th in Hollywood, California.

So, what do you think about the women who are vying for the Lead Actress Daytime Emmy? Happy with who got in? Who do you feel got snubbed? What do you think of the nominees for Daytime Talk Series? Weigh-in via the comment section.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Marks Unprecedented 16,000th Episode Milestone with New Cast Photo

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Today’s Monday, July 13 episode of General Hospital marks it 16,000 episode to air on the ABC television network. It is a remarkable milestone. The previous television record was held by Guiding Light which clocked in at 15,762 episodes before it went off the air on CBS in 2009.

To mark the occasion, the cast, crew and creative team of General Hospital celebrated with a cake-cutting ceremony on the Prospect Studios lot in Los Angeles back on Monday, June 1, 2026.

In addition, GH has released a new cast photo taken the day of the on set celebration. Pictured in the photo are front row: Rory Gibson, Finn Carr, Kayden Brenna Tokarski, Asher Antonyzyn, Giovanni Mazza, Braedyn Bruner, Dean Geyer and Nathan Dean.

Featured in the back row are: Tabyana Ali, Eden McCoy, Josh Swickard, Kristen Vaganos, Rebecca Herbst, Dominic Zamprogna, Alexa Havins, Cameron Mathison, Brooke Kerr, Cynthia Watros, Steve Burton, Finola Hughes, Jane Elliot, Maurice Benard, Laura Wright, Maura West, Donnell Turner, Nancy Lee Grahn, Tanisha Harper, Kelly Thiebaud, Kristina Wagner, Lynn Herring, Chris McKenna, Katelyn MacMullen and Sawandi Wilson.

In addition, the official GH social media handles shared these sentiments along with some other photos from the cake cutting: “Today’s episode of General Hospital is the 16,000th produced since the show’s inception in 1963. It’s a milestone we couldn’t let pass by without taking some time to celebrate as a family (and, of course… eating some cake). 🍰 We hope you enjoy watching it as much as we did making it.”

WHAT WILL HAPPEN ON THE 16,000th Episode?

The 16,000th episode will feature Jason Morgan returning to the town of Port Charles, Anna and Valentin (James Patrick Stewart) reuniting, and a new surgeon, Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer) joining the staff of ‘General Hospital.’

GENERAL HOSPITAL HOLDS SEVERAL RECORDS

Now in its 64th year, Emmy Award-winning daytime drama General Hospital is currently both the longest-running scripted American drama and the longest-running American soap opera currently in production.

General Hospital holds the record for the most Outstanding Daytime Drama award wins, taking home the prestigious Daytime Emmy Award a record 18 times. Will they do it again and make it 19 in 2026? Stay tuned for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy nominations tomorrow on Tuesday, July 14 to find out if GH will be going for gold in the category, once again.

The ABC daytime drama series was created by Frank and Doris Hursley and premiered back on April 1, 1963. Frank Valentini is the current executive producer with Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten are the show’s co-head writers.

General Hospital airs weekdays on ABC and streams on Hulu.

What do you think of the new cast photo marking General Hospital’s 16000th episode? What do you think of the accomplishment to have that many episodes of a television show and its still thriving and kicking? Share your thoughts and congrats for everyone in front of the camera and behind the scenes on this milestone airing.

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